People say summer is riding season, but we beg to differ. As the weather begins to cool and we dip into October, the leaves change color, mornings become cool and dewy, and the oppressive heat of summer finally gives way to perfect riding temperatures. That’s when we know it’s time to put some serious miles on the motorcycle.
It just so happens to be one of the prettiest times of year to ride too. Roads wind through hillsides painted in shades of red, orange, and gold. There’s something especially satisfying about rolling through crisp autumn air with a full tank and nowhere you need to be.
Fall riding is a favorite around the Rider office, but cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather mean a little more preparation than simply grabbing your helmet and gloves. As we prepare for this fall’s outings, we started thinking about what we always make sure to pack.
Here are a few things that routinely find their way into our tankbags. You may already have some of them, but maybe you’ll find one or two things worth adding to your own riding kit.
Heated Grips
Ok, you can’t actually pack this one, but it’s a crucial piece of our fall riding kit. Cold hands can ruin an otherwise perfect ride, which makes heated grips one of the easiest ways to extend the riding season. Oxford’s Heaterz Pro 2.0 Heated Touring grips provide adjustable heat and are designed specifically for riders who spend long hours in the saddle. The Touring version is particularly well suited for touring bikes, but other size options are available. Turn them down when the sun comes out and crank them up when the temperature drops, no wardrobe change required. They’re especially useful because they provide warmth directly to your hands while allowing you to continue wearing your normal riding gloves. Price: $274.99
Heated Jacket Liner
A heated jacket liner can make the difference between turning around when temperatures drop and continuing toward your destination. The Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner uses Gerbing’s Microwire technology to distribute heat throughout the liner while remaining thin enough to wear underneath your motorcycle jacket. That’s the beauty of heated gear – rather than piling on bulky layers, you can maintain a comfortable temperature with the flip of a switch. It’s particularly valuable on long fall rides, when temperatures can vary dramatically between morning and afternoon or between valleys and mountain elevations. Price: $249.99
Packable Rain Suit
Fall weather can change quickly, so a rain suit earns its place in our luggage even when the forecast looks promising. The Klim Forecast jacket and pants are designed to provide waterproof protection without requiring riders to wear a bulky waterproof suit all day. The Forecast jacket uses a Gore-Tex waterproof construction and packs down for convenient storage when the skies are clear. The pants provide the same sort of emergency protection for your lower half. Having both means a surprise shower doesn’t have to become a premature end to the day’s ride. Price: $299.99 jacket; $299.99 pants
Base Layer
Good layering is the secret to staying comfortable when fall temperatures fluctuate. The AXIAL Block Long Sleeve Shirt adds an extra layer of warmth without the bulk of a heavy mid-layer, making it a practical choice for cool-weather motorcycle rides. Its windproof Freeze-Out membrane helps keep cold air from penetrating the fabric, while the long-sleeve design provides added coverage beneath your riding jacket. It’s especially useful on those crisp fall mornings when temperatures are low but you know the afternoon will warm up. Lightweight and easy to pack, it can also be stashed in your luggage as an extra layer for the ride home. Price: $33.74
360 Camera
Fall is arguably one of the best seasons for motorcycle photography, so why not capture some of those colorful miles? The Insta360 X5 is particularly interesting for motorcycle riders because its 360-degree camera system lets you capture the ride from multiple perspectives and choose the framing later. That means less worrying about getting the camera angle exactly right before leaving the driveway. The motorcycle bundle is designed around powersports use and gives riders a way to document scenic roads, group rides, and memorable moments. At $629.99, it’s certainly an investment, but for riders who regularly create photos or videos from their trips, it can become an incredibly useful piece of riding equipment. Price: $629.99
Neck Gaiter
Sometimes the smallest pieces of gear make the biggest difference. A neck gaiter takes up almost no room in a tankbag but can provide a surprising amount of warmth when cold air starts finding its way through the collar of your jacket. It’s also easy to pull down or remove when temperatures rise. Look for a lightweight, moisture-wicking material that can be worn comfortably beneath your helmet and jacket. A neck gaiter is one of those inexpensive pieces of gear that’s easy to overlook when packing – right up until you’re riding through a mountain pass at 45 degrees. We don’t have a specific brand recommendation here, but we’d consider one nearly mandatory fall-riding equipment. Price: $10-$30
Tire Repair Kit
A flat tire is inconvenient anytime, but it can be particularly problematic during a fall ride when you’re traveling through rural areas or unfamiliar roads. The Stockton Tire Repair Kit is a compact insurance policy that can help get you moving again after a puncture. The kit is designed for both tubed and tubeless tires and puts the basic tools needed for a roadside repair in one package. Of course, carrying a repair kit only helps if you know how to use it, so we recommend practicing at home before you need it on the side of a mountain road. Pair it with a compact compressor, and you’ve got a much better chance of handling a puncture yourself. Price: $29.99
Compact Air Compressor
A tire plug isn’t much help if you can’t put air back into the tire. That’s where a small portable compressor comes in. The Trail Tech Portable Air Compressor has a 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery, programmable pressure settings, and an LED light, and it can inflate tires from 2 to 150 psi. It’s also capable of functioning as a USB phone charger, giving it another useful purpose when you’re away from a power outlet. It’s compact enough to disappear into luggage until you need it. Price: $69.95
Bluetooth Communicator
Fall riding is often about sharing the experience, whether you’re traveling with a riding partner or a whole group. A Bluetooth communicator makes it easier to communicate, listen to music, receive navigation prompts, and stay connected without reaching for your phone. The Cardo Packtalk Edge uses Cardo’s Dynamic Mesh Communication system and features a magnetic Air Mount system that makes attaching and removing the unit from its helmet mount simple. It’s particularly handy on longer fall rides when you’re navigating unfamiliar roads and communicating with other riders. Price: $395.96 for a single headset; $719.96 for the duo pack.
Lightweight Tool Kit
You don’t need to carry an entire garage with you, but having a few basic tools can turn a roadside problem into a minor inconvenience rather than a tow-truck situation. CruzTools’ SpeedKit is designed specifically for riders who want useful tools without a bulky package. The kit packs well and includes wrenches, hex keys, a spark-plug socket, pliers, a tire gauge, and other essentials in a zip-up pouch. It’s small enough to tuck into luggage or a pannier and capable enough to handle many common roadside adjustments. Price: $47.45
Ready for Fall?
The best thing about fall riding is that it doesn’t require perfect weather or a complicated packing strategy. A few smart additions to your gear can make a chilly morning more comfortable, turn an unexpected rain shower into a minor inconvenience, and give you some peace of mind when you’re hundreds of miles from home.
So before you head out to chase the changing leaves this fall, take another look inside your tankbag. Add a little warmth, a little weather protection, and a few tools for the unexpected. Then fill the tank, pick a road, and enjoy what might just be the best riding season of the year.
